Eleven students received their certificates after completing the Cathsseta-accredited Food Service Assistant (FSA) training programme at Bergzicht Training & Development in Stellenbosch last Thursday (1 December).
Congratulated at a ceremony, the cohort was the first to graduate from the centre’s newly accredited training kitchen, which was inaugurated in September.
Newly certified Jaydeen Greeff, one of the group’s top three students, spoke with pride of her experience attending the 10-week skills programme. “We’ve all had it rough, but we’ve finally achieved something in our lives,” she said.
The 23-year-old graduated a day after signing a contract to become a junior chef at Spier Estate, where she completed a three-week work-integrated learning placement as part of the programme. “What I loved was the motivation the facilitators gave; that we should have hope,” she said. “But the food was really tasty as well.”
Bergzicht’s director Kathy Harris congratulated “one of the most exceptional groups to ever complete the FSA programme”. “These nine women and two men have been exceptional in every way and have come through with flying colours. We wish them every success; we are very, very proud of them,” she said.
Students pay a nominal fee to participate in the programme run by the NGO. The course is funded by donors such as The TK Foundation, which supported the latest group in completing the FSA programme. Instruction in basic culinary skills is masterfully packed into a short timeline and ably presented by assessor Annabella van Breukelen. During their time on the course, students learn knife skills, basic pastry baking, how to cook sauces, debone and cook fish, and prepare meat and vegetable dishes.
“The graduation was such an uplifting affair. We have been supporting Bergzicht for many years, and it was a most gratifying experience to witness what these 11 individuals had achieved,” said Heather Cooper, director of The TK Foundation’s South Africa Grants Programme.
“They overcame difficulties and made it to this milestone, and they had jobs secured. This is what The TK Foundation is about: helping youth achieve their dreams through a hand-up, and not a hand-out.”
Several graduates have already stepped into jobs in the local hospitality industry and are a testament to the industry’s recognition of the skills taught at Bergzicht.
The group’s overall best-performing student, Dimakatso Kunyane (22), started laundry and hairdressing businesses to fund her daily travel from Kraaifontein to the Stellenbosch campus.
Two weeks into her practical placement at Hazendal Estate she was offered a job. Her dreams for the future are clear: “I don’t actually want to work in a kitchen forever. My dream is to open my own catering company one day, so I can employ my own people and teach them what was taught to me.”
Councillor Lwando Nkamisa, Stellenbosch Mayoral Committee member for Corporate Services, encouraged the graduates to grab the opportunities that come their way.
“The skills they’ve learnt are not just ones that tick a box, but can be used in real-life situations and can assist people in the real world,” he said. “It’s not just theoretical knowledge, it’s practical life skills knowledge that will benefit them for years to come.”
As part of the course’s holistic approach, students underwent a 20-day life skills training programme ahead of the advanced programme.
“After Covid-19, the tourism industry is running around looking for people,” said Deon Roets, academic manager of The Chefs Training & Innovation Academy (CTIA), an accredited training partner. “These graduates are in a prime position with what they’ve learned here.”
Alumni will receive support and advice for a year following the completion of the programme.
Once they’re employed for a year, they will be invited to an annual celebration event to honour their working achievements.
. Businesses interested in employing Bergzicht’s young aspirant chef graduates can send an email to student development manager Nathalie Skippers on employ@bergzicht.org.za.
